Suez Canal container traffic normalisation gathers pace

Container vessel traffic through the Suez Canal is accelerating toward a structural recovery, with deployed liner capacity exceeding 50% of pre-crisis levels for the first time since Red Sea disruptions began. Major ocean carriers have selectively restored Asia-Europe and Far East-Mediterranean loops through the waterway. Data from BIMCO and Lloyd’s List Intelligence reveals that over 140 containerships, representing more than 2 million TEUs of capacity, have returned to Suez routings, heavily driven by ultra-large container vessels exceeding 18,000 TEUs. Industry analysts emphasise that while nearly two-thirds of Asia-Europe network capacity is now assigned to services utilising the Canal, the recovery remains uneven across market sectors. Tanker and dry bulk operators maintain a more cautious stance compared to container alliances. Furthermore, several carriers are adopting hybrid schedules—sailing westbound via Suez while returning eastbound around the Cape of Good Hope—to balance shorter transit times and reduced fuel burn against ongoing security considerations, as per a report.

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